sponge bath

American  

noun

1. a bath in which the bather is cleaned by a wet sponge or washcloth dipped in water, without getting into a tub of water.

---

sponge bath British  

noun

1. a washing of the body with a wet sponge or cloth, but without immersion in water

---

Etymology

Origin of sponge bath

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

The incident happened at a major hospital in west London on Thursday morning during a routine sponge bath.

From BBC • Dec. 21, 2024

Patients learn simple ways to beat the heat, like taking a shower or sponge bath to cool off and drinking plenty of water.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 30, 2023

Shortly into a sponge bath from a groom, he sat back and collapsed, with possible heart failure later cited.

From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2021

Back at home, Knox — who would later become a death-care educator herself — with the help of her mother, her sister and a close friend, gave Alison a sponge bath.

From New York Times • Dec. 19, 2019

Next I do a quick sponge bath in the downstairs bathroom, fix my hair, then dress in a long-sleeved T, a hoodie vest, and my softest jeans.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen